Paratroopers from the 173rd Airborne Brigade wore denim to work April 27, 2015 as part of a SHARP Stand-Down and observance of Denim Day in Vicenza, Italy. Denim Day started in 1998 when the Italian Supreme Court overturned a sexual assault convictio...
Paratroopers from 1st Battalion, 503rd Infantry Regiment, 173rd Airborne Brigade wear denim to work April 27, 2015 as part of a SHARP Stand-Down and observance of Denim Day in Vicenza, Italy. Denim Day started in 1998 when the Italian Supreme Court o...
VICENZA, Italy -- Paratroopers assigned to the 173rd Airborne Brigade conducted a Sexual Harassment/Assault Response and Prevention stand-down at Caserma Del Din here April 27, 2015 and demonstrated support of "Denim Day" by wearing denim jeans to work instead of their usual camouflage uniforms.
Denim Day stems from a sexual assault case that was overturned by the Italian Supreme court in 1998. In a statement released by the head judge on the case, he argued, "because the victim [originally assaulted in 1992] wore very, very tight jeans, she had to help him remove them and by removing the jeans, it was no longer rape but consensual sex."
Immediately after the decision, female members of the Italian legislature wore denim jeans in protest, and the day became an annual symbol of sexual assault awareness.
10,800 men are sexually assaulted every year in the military and less than 15 percent will report it, compared with 39 percent of women, according to the Department of Defense Annual Report on Sexual Assault in the Military.
That is where the SHARP program comes in. New training aids and techniques are continuously developed and many SHARP coordinators and victim advocates say effective training impacts the Soldier on a more personal level.
"We support the survivors by fostering a climate that does not tolerate sexual harassment or assault," said Lauren Northrup, brigade SHARP Victim Advocate. "We support by making sure our command teams are educated and informed on policy and procedure and we do this by adhering to Army standards and Values."
"Doing our part is not a one-time event; it's a way of living the Army Values," said Northrup. "Before I say anything I believe the survivor. Second, I listen. I listen to whatever they need to say. I am here to offer my ear and expertise in supporting them. Providing advocacy and linking them with the services they desire."
Soldiers receiving the revised training responded positively.
"It's important because it shows that the brigade supports the Army's SHARP program," said U.S. Army paratrooper Sgt. Heidi Steier, a geospatial engineer assigned to the brigade. "It also lets me know that if something does happen, someone is there to help. That you can't get away with it and we're all together."
Supporting Denim Day is just one way that the brigade stands by the local Italian community and demonstrates support to SHARP.
"Some people might not know the history behind why we're wearing denim jeans today," said 173rd Airborne Brigade Headquarters Company 1st Sgt. Wayne Wahlenmeier. "A young girl was assaulted back in 1992 and it is in her honor that we do this. It is a call to action to say that sexual harassment and assault has no place in the Army. Stopping sexual assault starts from the bottom up. Lower enlisted Soldiers are the future. So if we start educating them now they will set the tone for the next generation."
The goal is to eliminate sexual harassment and sexual assaults by creating an environment that respects every paratrooper within the brigade family and throughout the Army, said Northrup She added that the brigade offers valuable resources to all paratroopers and family members aged 18 and older.
"We are here to always offer advocacy to our Soldiers. Reporting options of Restricted can be made to the SHARP personal and medical professionals, and the SHARP Hotline," explained Northrup. "Soldiers can receive medical care, forensic exams, counseling, chaplain services, legal counsel and advocacy."
Unrestricted reports can be made with chain of command, SHARP personal, SHARP hotline, Law enforcement and Medical personal," said Northrup. "Paratroopers can receive all the resources listed for restricted reporting along with an investigation, military protective orders, and possibility for unit or post transfer."
For victims of sexual assault, resources are available. United States Army Garrison Vicenza provides religious support through chaplains, Military One Source, the Behavioral Health Clinic, SHARP Victim Advocates, Army Substance Abuse Program and Sexual Assault Response Coordinators. The community operates a 24-hour advocacy reporting line, available at DSN: 314-634-7272 or over commercial phone at (+39) 0444-71-7272.
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